New Surface Iron Rod / Tuna, Yellowtail, Calico / Review of the Quiver

[@gregorymillar285]

I'm old school so what I have in my quiver is a Truline BDR D-8 with a 440 Newell ,6480 440Newell and a old Sabre 540 with a tricked out 500. Love all your stick too. Thanks for the info

[@RodneyMarquezFishingChannel]

fantastic help for those like me who are wanting to catch yellowtail on the surface iron!

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks Rodney! We will have to hook one ....

[@kevindeleon7439]

You are a fishing Wizard Rodney, i'm sure you'll slay.

[@cmonCraig]

When are Rodney and Afran fishing together again? Need another one of those videos!

[@FXFACTORS]

Thanks!

[@Lonelysouls2]

5:25 most badass jig strike I’ve seen!!!

[@MC-pz3ps]

I enjoy all your videos. Surface Iron fishing is also my passion, I enjoy a lighter weight graphite rod myself, I had a custom 10ft. 2 piece made up (for traveling). St. Croix 30lb to 40lb., 80/20 action. 7 ft. top section, 3ft. butt, light weight, little on the stiff side, can cast all day, sensitive, and strong in the fights.

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks for the info!

[@kman8313]

The showing of the bend is very helpful. Thank you.

[@rotoryheadblanco3282]

Good information man. Its cool seeing what other people like and don't like with their set ups

[@cmonCraig]

Love seeing that slug eat the jig right next to the kayak. I have the cousins 90J - very parabolic rod but I like how those glass rods load up and lob the jig. A little less painful on me when I’m hooked into a strong one on a 9 footer. I haven’t done much surface iron fishing lately but I’m itching to go now!

[@WARBAITS]

Hoping to get into something soon. Good luck out there!

[@RMATRO22]

Great video! I like throwing the Calstar 800XH for the surface iron. It's light and has a ton of backbone

[@WARBAITS]

Thats a good one. I have a 800H that I use for bait, but have used it for surface and yoyo. great rod

[@irrelevantme4153]

You liking Xfast action rods stem from your bass background. I’m the same way. Check the UC delmar 9’. It’ll give you all the distance of any 10 rod without fatigue and every bit of power fighting fish.

[@mustardbrown]

Sick video Afran, I really liked the natural shadow cast agains the garage door during your flex test. I love my calstar 6480 👍

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks! 👍

[@MrJesus100]

Love how you describe your style of rods make more sense in what your looking for in your rod. I fish the same fast graphite Phenix bass rods for calicos but then when I fish bait I like composite rods that are more 60/40 and same for jigsticks all I fish is glass. 540s, 530, and 90j. I got rid of my composite ones but kinda want that fast action again like the skinny butt ulua or the heavier super seeker Ulua. Great vid to see the bends made me go try it out to see what mine looked like lol

[@mukgozfast7696]

Super helpful... really liked the overlay comparison. Good luck, catchem.

[@davidday6426]

Cool flick. Those 9'-10' are perfect for the party boats, if you do those anymore. Higher bow off the water line. More distance to get away from the big boat. The 8' is at home on the skiff or yack. Lower to the water, longer cast not needed as much. -IMO

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks for the info!

[@DBCustoms-em5sx]

You need to try a United Composits UC100 Monster or UC90 Monster.......100% From your bend test and what you say you like a Calstar 90J is what you should try...also you really need to be running Cork Puppy's on your jig rods...they will save you a broken/crushed blank at the reel seat

[@edwinsandiego3435]

Hey bro thanks a lot for teaching all the main point of the fishing rod I really like the videos when you do tackle talk thanks for sharing

[@WARBAITS]

I appreciate that!

[@Static_MK3Focus]

Good comments on each rod afran. I was thinking about a calstar 90J also... or a seeker pinhead Ulua... but I ended up with a shimano teramar 8’0” as my jig stick with a fathom 15. Great for those smaller tuna, yellowtail and bass.

[@WARBAITS]

I like that Teramar. I'm probably going back to the Calstar

[@davidkim227]

Check out the Calstar Gftr 90J. It's not the trad. 90J. It's lighter and a bit stiffer than the older glass rods.

[@dannyromo3166]

I use the GF90J graphfighter with a Lexa 400HD currently my favorite jig stick superlight in weight

[@WARBAITS]

I will definitely look into this

[@brandonchoy4692]

That last photo of the 3 rods is sick and really helpful! Sick vid Af, make a new LJ vid, those are super fun to watch

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks! Will do!

[@Andrew_stars]

love the vids man I use the 3 oz heads for slow trolling for albacore tuna up in Oregon they work like a charm

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks for the support! The 3oz is a go to for sure

[@alexmiller4090]

You should do a cast test at a park and cast each rod 5 times and get an average distance for each rod!

[@CominInHeavy]

My only suggestion is to go Trinidad 20A for all your jig stick setups if targeting yellowtail. I use my Tranx’s for yo-yo and popper fishing only. And in my experience, the drags on those new Toriums tend to back off on their own after a few casts (and sometimes when fighting a fish) so you always gotta check ‘em!

[@WARBAITS]

Noted. Thanks for the info

[@kman8313]

Review on the new penn fathom 2 star drag would be nice.

[@fadelover123]

Simple, if you don't have the money for a Trinidad the fathom is best you can get.

[@733jigcaster6]

Great video I concur I like my jig sticks the same way I like them all 10 ft graphite some graphite with a fiberglass tip

[@notfounder285]

Now I’m really late, but look in to UC reapers. They are imo the best jigstick right now and they are actually pretty easy to get. They cast great and are easy on you aswell

[@rogeliobravo4927]

Ive been thinking of spending the money on a surface iron set up, but i dont know what looking for lol this definitely helped me, its definitely interesting to see the way the rods bend and those slow motion shots make it even more interesting in one of the shots you can see how the rod loads up during your cast all the way to the handle, very helpful video

[@WARBAITS]

Definitely pull on a lot of rods at the store. bring a friend to help if you can or ask the staff. I learned by fishing friend's rods also

[@joshalberto4900]

Thanks for the great info Afrin! I'm currently looking to add a surface iron rod and was between the ulua and a UC rod! Amazing content. I'll be watching this video multiple times.

[@WARBAITS]

Thank you, I hope it helps. It's tough (and can be expensive) to find the right rod

[@ror_sal]

Im a huge fan of the 6480. Probably the best all around rod for what we do down here. It can serve as a good 40# bait stick too. How do you like the Tranx? I was really hoping that Penn would of added a 500 size reel to that new Fathom baitcaster lineup. My other jig stick is a UC wahoo 9' 30-60#. Great rod for throwing the iron.

[@WARBAITS]

I just picked up another 6480! I need to give the UC a run. Those new Penns look sweet, Thanks for the support.

[@mikeb9223]

8 foot is plenty for me, especially on long range boats with many fishers. Also, the longer the rod the less leverage on a fish. Jmo

[@WARBAITS]

8’ is a perfect casting rod

[@amadeoquilici242]

Honestly, I can never make up my mind with iron rods. I have a CalStar, Phenix and a Rain Shadow. They all cast differently, and I like all of them.

[@WARBAITS]

I agree. I keep changing my mind on the rod and reel

[@A.Matt7]

Stiff rod tips are the thing for me

[@23blocc]

The long a waited jig stick arsenal. Great comment on the casting style, which is very true. Can’t cast a glass rod too aggressive or it will backfire 😆. Thanks for the video.

[@WARBAITS]

oh yeah, I got a few back lashes

[@kevindeleon7439]

Nice quiver Afran.

[@fadelover123]

Try them uc rods, there the best money can buy. They load way better than the Calstar and seekers.

[@otroflores91]

Have you tried a uc reaper yet? Been seeing a few on the boats but haven't asked anyone to let me borrow it for a couple cast.

[@notfounder285]

I know this is really late but the Uc reapers are sick

[@indeepship____3944]

Have you tried United composite. I have a CE900 Monster which is a little lighter in the tip but if you want to give it a try let me know

[@WARBAITS]

Thank you for the offer. Might take you up on this

[@indeepship____3944]

@@WARBAITS let me know instagram is the same. I got it on a trin16 down in point Loma

[@daviankonja8586]

I need to try that ss-sb but try out the calstar 100j!!

[@MrBigFishJoe]

I got the GG 690 j in July still haven’t put a reel on it. Do you prefer the Tranx 500 over the other reels? I used to do long range stuff with the conventional reels, and still do on private boats but do 10x the amount of spotted bay bass fishing and have gotten used to low profile bass reel style. So the Tranx would be nice but Torium would be fine too. Thanks for your time and knowledge.

[@WARBAITS]

I’ve used the Torium 20 for many years. For the money, can’t be beat. I recently started fishing the Penn 25n, very solid option. So on the 10ft jig stick I recently put the Tranx 500 on it. I haven’t thrown it yet, but it feels great. Definitely try out some different reels on the rod. The time I fished the Gg90j, it had a gold Trini 20 and I loved it. Keep me in the loop!

[@jdebelak10]

GG90J is a pretty cool rod. Seems to me like you’re looking for a stiffer rod. If that’s the case, look into the cal star GG6490 H. One nice ass rod man. Those two, GG6490H and GG90J are two of my favorite rods for the iron. My all around go to surface iron rod is the Seeker 90M. I have one of their older models, they do feel a little different now. They make two different versions, a black steel and a super seeker. The super seeker to me feels like it has a softer tip, and the black steel has a stiffer tip. That rod has accounted for most of my surface iron fish. I myself like a stiffer rod for the iron. The way I fish, I tend to sight fish the iron. See a spot I like, cast directly at it. I can load a stiffer rod better myself, I can bend that rod more than most people who fish an all glass rod normally would. The good part about it, graphite recoils faster than glass, making that jig zing out there. I own about 15 different models of jig sticks myself, I work at a tackle store. I’ve tried all the UC’s, all the seekers, MOST of the cal stars. The one I have been wanting to try is the GF90J. Kind of a unicorn. I’ve only seen two blanks in the past 3 years. Like I said, look into a seeker 90M. Seems to me that would be your answer. Keep up the vids dude. I’ve been watching your channel since I was a pinhead. You answered a lot of my questions and your content is top notch. Ima try and make a Channel for next season. Was gonna do it this year but thanks to rona, that didn’t go as planned. 🤘🏼Keep up the vids my dude.

[@WARBAITS]

Noted. Thank you

[@Fishtac69]

Yo I came up on a gg6490 and was thinking it was a lil stiff to throw irons. I guess Ima just have too give it a go on a trip. Recommend any irons I should use with this rod?

[@sergiorodriguez889]

I like how you did it in front of your garage door and you actually got a double image of the bend🤙🤙 I'd like to suggest the SS6490, you might like that brotha 👍

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks!

[@jakebailey3664]

Great video I have the skinny ulua with a torium 20 also and I think you will like it a lot after you catch a good fish on it I know I do

[@WARBAITS]

Thank you for the words. So far, I like it

[@charnpremyodhin6294]

Very informative review. Thanks!

[@dannyromo3166]

Ought to try a calstar GG90J Mag has a bit lighter tip than the regular GG90J And ❤️ the GG6480

[@girabaldytasty6224]

90j mag is heavier. It's quite popular for the bluefin.

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks for the info!

[@540slinger]

Love the GG90 and the GG90J MAG my go-to 9 footers.

[@sergiorodriguez889]

For me I like the U93h, it has a more forgiving moderation which if your gonna fish it all day on a crazy yellowtail bite, your bones are gonna thank you..! Now I'm 58 and I've been throwing iron since 74' but you younger cats are alot stronger than this OG! love, peace, swing hard!👊👊😎

[@WARBAITS]

Thank you, I'll look into this rod

[@2derekjeter2]

if given the opportunity if money was not a factor would you select a two speed lever drag reel for casting jigs...sometimes i feel it may be better to have the power of a two speed and lever drag reel...thanks.

[@WARBAITS]

Sure....... For me a fast gear ratio is important. 6:1 So if the two speed had a 6:1, I'd get it. Big BFT, you def want a two speed

[@2derekjeter2]

@@WARBAITS thinking of going with the Avet raptor mxl with cast control

[@p.j.walker8196]

Loved this video! What would recommend I pair with my daiwa lexa 400?

[@WARBAITS]

I like what Phenix has to offer for the Lexa 400. Something light weight in hand for sure

[@p.j.walker8196]

@@WARBAITS thanks so much. I’ll look into Phenix any specific recommendations?

[@gooseinacoupe]

The M1 inshore 90H is what I have my lexa 400 paired with.

[@octogin1026]

Me too caught a nice 20lb yellow on it fought it fot 30 min a good time

[@Ed_win1985]

Gg90j mag stiff stiff!! 👍🏼 that’s what use

[@michaelleon8564]

Have you tried the Fishing Syndicate rods?

[@WARBAITS]

I will look into this. Have your tried them?

[@michaelleon8564]

@@WARBAITS Yes, an was very shocked, stiff back bone, with a pretty flexible tip. 9ft rod. I have a Cal star 10ft. An I don’t like it, top damn long. I’ll stick with the 9ft jig sticks

[@coacho2101]

Love the Channel. Move from Colorado and very interested in learning to fish offshore in SD. You are definitely my main education. What are your thoughts on a beginner’s setup? Looking at Penn Fathom- FTH25N Reel CalStar- GG6480 Rod Or Penn Carnage - CARBW800H Rod And definitely some WARBAITS. Want to catch Yellowtail or Tuna Any thoughts or suggestions would be great!!!

[@WARBAITS]

Penn 25n and Calstar is a great set up. I think you’d be very happy with that

[@coacho2101]

Where do you go to buy CalStar 6480 Rod? Went online found one supplier out of New York but their Warehouse is closed for Covid. Can’t find anywhere else.

[@WARBAITS]

@@coacho2101 I had to buy mine at a Tackle Shop in San Diego, CA. FISHERMANS LANDING. Yes, do to Cover, products are hard to get right now. Good luck!

[@xaviermarroquin4507]

GREAT VIDEO. WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR A 400 LEXA-400PWR-P. I HAVE MINES ON A MH PROTEIUS 8' 2 ROD., BUT WOULD LIKE TO TRYING IT FOR JIGGING. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE SCHOOLING.

[@WARBAITS]

Phenix M1

[@mr.k9935]

For the price, the Phenix Axis 909 XJ is a pretty sweet rod. How do you like the Tranx vs conventional (Trinidad or Torium)? I've never used a Tranx 500 but the level wind and cast control are tempting. Also, which Tranx are you fishing the HG or PG?

[@WARBAITS]

Tranx 500 HG. It’s the spool size of a Trini 16

[@WARBAITS]

As far of what I like better. I use the Tranx more for calico/inshore yellowtail. Short cast combat stuff. I think the Torium 20 cast further. The Open frame allows for the line of peel off more easily during the cast

[@kickerfishing]

Rad! Thanks for the info Afran!

[@WARBAITS]

Thanks for the great JIGS!

[@richmartinez96]

Nice edit, great info 🤙🏻

[@WARBAITS]

Appreciate it!

[@sab35263]

Have you ever compared the PH 93H vs the SS 93H? I wonder what are the differences.

[@leonardlucioscordeirokusdr5119]

What Penn is the best to fishing long cast surf or pier reel? Thanks Leonard From Brasil

[@WARBAITS]

Penn Fathom 25N is a reel. Or the Penn Fathom low profile amzn.to/3NlmVoM

[@seamusmurphy2528]

Have u tried the graph tech 8ft rod. It is very good and good price

[@WARBAITS]

I have used the Graff Tech. I though it was a good rod for sure

[@jorgebaltazar7]

seeker G6490-9 25-50#

[@omarmercado6979]

Nice vid bruh.!

[@loyaltilltheend2500]

Afran try and see if you can find a ( cousin's f90j ) you will not regret it!! Top dog for surface irons period!!

[@WARBAITS]

I’ll look around

[@sanddabs159]

What are your thoughts on the Penn over the Torium?

[@WARBAITS]

hmmm, Torium feels pretty good

[@hooks4nooks]

Wonder how the Calstar GG 90J compares to those rods? I own one and would think it would compare to the 10' Rod but in 9'. I think you called that 80/20 or 70/30? Great video. Thanks for sharing. Funny, I think I'd like the aluah. The flex/load. Thanks man.

[@WARBAITS]

Calstar GG 90J will be my next purchase

[@hooks4nooks]

Yeah the GG 90 J is a stiff rod, but I don't have anything to compare it to. I did land a 60 BF on it and it did great. No problems at all. It is my surface iron rod and to me it seems a little over powered. For YT that is. Are you getting it for YT?

[@joshalberto4900]

I've watched this video like 15 times!

[@WARBAITS]

🙌🏻

[@spencerdreher7121]

What boat is this? It’s perfect for fishing the surface iron and I’m looking for a new smaller boat

[@WARBAITS]

Key West Bay Reef 196

[@johnalfonsofishing]

Awesome vid!

[@TheTwinsnails]

What’s your thoughts on best reel for throwing irons?

[@WARBAITS]

A lot of guys say the Trinidad 20A

[@leonardlucioscordeirokusdr5119]

Dear angler friend to catch a big tuma more than 220 pound what conventional reel do you indicated, live bait and big popper. I use spinning reel but i preffer conventional. I buy a Penn FTHII40 but i dont know if i get casting with a lever reel.

[@h2oburke]

UC Del Mar 900 hands down

[@chrischapoteau3263]

California ia got to many different rods and reelsfishing on the ast coast so damn easy one rod catches everything

[@sab35263]

Which aftco life jacket are you wearing?

[@paulmason6127]

Great info, you just got yourself a new subscriber! I have a question about the Tranx. I just cane across a great deal and purchased the 500. The only drawback is that it isn’t the high speed. It’s the PG 4.6:1. The lowest ratio I’ve used in the past was a Newell with a 5:1 and I usually cranked pretty fast with that. In your opinion can you fish surface irons effectively with a 4:6.1 or do you think I have to have the gears changed to the HS?

[@WARBAITS]

Some guys like fishing the PG for surface iron. I like the HG. Best way to find out, is too give it a try. I'm not sure how much the cost is to which the gears, but if you got a great deal on the reel, it might be worth it!

[@blitzburg71]

Since you don’t like the Ulua PH93, can I have it? 😅 Another dope video Afran!

[@WARBAITS]

Sale pending haha!

[@Frank-xn8ci]

What you using after that year

[@WARBAITS]

That 10’ Seeker Ulua SKinny Butt. I’ll most likely grab a Calstar GG90J in 2022. That seems to be the rod I like

[@B3nnyboy]

How do you like the penn fathom 25n

[@WARBAITS]

It's a good reel

[@73orangething]

Excellent information thanks! Do you have any experience with Phenix AXIS rods ?

[@WARBAITS]

I wrapped a 9 foot Phoenix Axis Jig Stick a few years back. I thought it was a nice rod, felt crispy and light but strong

[@73orangething]

Thanks for the reply!

[@SDkd619]

I’m using an 8ft as well. Doesn’t cast very far.. maybe it’s me doing it wrong..

[@WARBAITS]

What reel and line are you using? and jig?

[@SDkd619]

Jig I was going with Salas 7x

[@SDkd619]

Power pro braid.. sorry for all the reply’s my phone messed up

[@SDkd619]

Diawa lexa 300hd

[@frenchbeans]

It’s how you load the rod, length can only help so much. I used to have a Calstar T6480, and compared to the WTS 7X 9’ I have now, I could sling just as far before I learned to load the 7X better

[@ww477]

How do you think Penn Fathom II 25NSD compared to Torium 16HG for throwing an iron. What's your thought for Fathom II 25NSDP low speed ?

[@WARBAITS]

I personally like the high gear ratios. Less turns of the handle. Vs Low Gear, so many revolutions, I get burned out. Both are good reels. Def go and put them in your hand and see what feels good

[@Fishtac69]

Would a Calstar GG 6490H-J make a good surface iron rod ??? Help please 😂

[@WARBAITS]

I'd say Yes!

[@Fishtac69]

It’s pretty stiff. Recommend any irons I should throw with it ?

[@fvaldez714]

@@Fishtac69 tady 45, starman 112, Salas 7x

[@anthonytrigueiro7896]

You never mentioned how tall you are

[@jordanmierau8918]

Where’d you get the 6480 from?

[@WARBAITS]

Fishermans Landing in San Diego

[@nickelodeo23]

do you have any knowledge about the super seeker ss 6480H-8'CT 20-40 i like the rod but i don't know how good will it be for surface iron, i went to check in the stores but they have zero at this moment because of the covid 😒

[@WARBAITS]

I actually Traded the Seeker PH93H (green rod in the video) for a Super Seeker 6480H. From my use of the SS6480, it’s a great surface iron rod, yoyo rod and 40lb bait rod. I like it. It fits my style of fishing. I put a Torium 20 with 65lb braid on it

[@WARBAITS]

Stores are so limited right now. I went out looking for a bay rod, not much available

[@nickelodeo23]

@@WARBAITS it's perfect bro, i have the saltiga 40ha star drag loaded with 65# spectra and 40 mono, i want to make this combo, my tuna combo

[@nickelodeo23]

@@WARBAITS you know, actually i forgot to go to squidco, and i went this morning and they have some in stock, i just bought the only 20-40 they had available, good price by the way 🙂

[@BryanTimm]

6480 is moneyy

[@notfounder285]

How do you spool your Shimano torium?

[@WARBAITS]

I put the filler spool in a bench vice grip with a screw driver running through it to the vice grip. I make sure the spool is tight against the vice grip so there is a lot of tension. Then I reel the line from the vice grip to the reel, always making sure the filler spool has tension. You don't want sloppy braid on your reel, insane birds nest. Good luck!

[@notfounder285]

What line do you use?

[@WARBAITS]

65lb braided line (berkley X5) to 40lb fluoro. A lot of different braids will work. I try out different lines once a year

[@notfounder285]

Next time you spool your tranx I would suggest 65lb maxx cuatro. Great strength and great for kelp bed fishing also great for calico setups

[@juanm_23]

What’s the difference between the calstar graphiter and the calstar gg?

[@WARBAITS]

Calstar Grafighter is all graphite and is stiffer. Calstar GG is graphite and glass mixed, softer tip, better for casting

[@robinsmith8549]

Calstar grafighter rods are a composite rod graphite bottom then transitions to glass top section. GG/BTG rods are also composite but rolled different they are graphite butt to tip with a layer of glass wrapped over the graphite.

[@osfishing9262]

United Composites 'RGP 900 9E'

[@gilbertogonzalez9494]

If you leave it bent in the car on a hot day it's going to stay bent. Be careful.

[@WARBAITS]

Over tightening the reel clamp crushed the blank on the old rod

[@Onethirtytwo]

Why do you guys use casting rods on the west coast? East coast is 100% spinning rods off the beach, pier and surf and the conventional gear is for offshore. Zero backlash and much farther cast with a spinning rod. Same thing for Hawaii, it's like they've never seen or heard of a spinning reel. I swear if I brought surf-length spinning rods and spinning reels out there I would make a fortune!

[@itsnotme3882]

Hard to fish a surface iron, tip down so it swims properly on a spinning rod over 7 feet

[@davkrat5]

Because coffee grinders are lame 😂 But seriously a big part of it is the use of the rail here in California. Impossible to do that with a spinning rod.

[@tjhumphrey4210]

What reel did you end up pairing on your skinny butt ulua